Image-processing device, document-reading device, electronic apparatus, and document-reading method

ABSTRACT

An original reading apparatus includes an original transport mechanism that has a pickup roller (R 1 ) and the like and an original reading mechanism that has a light source unit ( 6 ) and the like, and captures an image of an original transported by the original transport mechanism. When multi-feeding has occurred, in which when a read original (P 1 ) is transported, another original (P 2 ) is also transported, and the other multi-fed original (P 2 ) is not positioned between the read original (P 1 ) and the light source unit ( 6 ) (that is, when a read face (P 1   a ) of the read original (P 1 ) is not obstructed), the reading operation of the read face (P 1   a ) of the read original (P 1 ) is continued by the original reading mechanism.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, anoriginal reading apparatus, an electronic equipment, and an originalreading method, provided with a function that detects multi-feeding inwhich papers of originals or the like are fed in a state with two ormore pages stacked.

BACKGROUND ART

A scanner apparatus, copy apparatus, facsimile apparatus, or amultifunction machine in which any of these apparatuses are combined, isequipped with an original reading apparatus for reading an original.

This original reading apparatus is ordinarily provided with a mechanismthat detects and prevents multi-feeding in which, when supplying anoriginal page by page from a plurality of pages of originals that havebeen placed on an original placement stage, due to friction or the likebetween originals stacked together, two or more pages of originals aresupplied stacked together.

As an original reading apparatus provided with a mechanism to detect andprevent this sort of multi-feeding, for example, apparatuses have beenproposed in which, even when multi-feeding has occurred when feedingoriginals, reading continues without suspending transport of theoriginals, and by sorting with other originals when discharging, theefficiency of original reading has been improved (for example, see JP2000-165594A).

Also, apparatuses have been disclosed in which, when detectingmulti-feeding of the originals during supply of the originals, bytransporting the originals in reverse and returning them to the originalsupply stage, and transporting the originals again, multi-feeding isprevented (for example, see JP H6-219600A).

In the apparatus disclosed in aforementioned JP 2000-165594A, becausereading of originals is performed even when multi-feeding has occurred,for example, when an original that has been multi-fed is stacked on aprimarily read original, a series of images across two pages oforiginals are read. Thus, there was the problem that a correct originalimage could not be read and both of two pages of originals that havebeen stacked together were poorly read. That is, there was the problemthat in repeat reading, because it is necessary to read both of thesetwo pages of originals, the original reading efficiency was notnecessarily good. Also, there was the problem that a recording sheet onwhich an image was formed by the initial reading was wasted.

Also, in the apparatus disclosed in aforementioned JP H6-219600A, aconfiguration is adopted in which when multi-feeding of the originals isdetected during supply of the originals, the originals are transportedin reverse and returned to the original supply stage, and transportedagain, but depending on the state of the multi-feeding, even if reversetransport is performed, the originals that have been multi-fed are notnecessarily properly returned to the supply stage; it is possible thatthe originals may again be multi-fed even when transported again. Thatis, there was the problem that it was not necessarily possible toreliably eliminate multi-feeding.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention was made in consideration of the problemsdescribed above, and it is an object thereof to provide an imageprocessing apparatus, original reading apparatus, electronic equipment,and original reading method in which, even when multi-feeding hasoccurred during original transfer, by continuing the reading oforiginals when an original that has been multi-fed does not block theread face of a read original, an improvement in reading efficiency isachieved and the waste of recording paper when printing a read image isprevented as much as possible. Another object of the present inventionis to provide an image processing apparatus, original reading apparatus,electronic equipment, and original reading method in which, even whenthe multi-fed original covers the read face of the read original, animprovement in reading efficiency is achieved by performing reading ofthe multi-fed original, and the waste of recording paper when printingthe read image, for example, is also avoided as much as possible.

The image processing apparatus of the present invention includes a papertransport mechanism that transports paper and an image processingmechanism that performs image reading processing of the papertransported by the paper transport mechanism, in which when, in the casethat multi-feeding has occurred in which when a first paper istransported by the paper transport mechanism another paper is alsotransported, and the other paper is not positioned between the firstpaper and a working portion of the image processing mechanism, theworking portion of the image processing mechanism is allowed to operate.

Alternatively, the original reading apparatus of the present inventionincludes an original transport means that transports an original and animage reading means that captures an image of the original transportedby the original transport means, in which when, in the case thatmulti-feeding has occurred in which when a first original is transportedby the original transport means another original is also transported,and the other original is not positioned between the first original anda reading portion of the original reading means, the reading operationof the image of the first original by the original reading means iscontinued.

Here, the original transport means is, for example, an originaltransport mechanism that, along with having a movable member that canmake contact with an original placed on an original placement stage,transports the original by delivering it from the original placementstage by transmitting the movement of the movable member to the originalwith frictional force between the movable member and the original, whichis in contact with the movable member. The original transport means is,for example, an original reading mechanism having a light source thatilluminates the original, an optical sensor, and an optical system thatguides light reflected from the original illuminated by the light sourceto the optical sensor, and that captures an image of the originaltransported by the original transport mechanism. This is the same forthe original transport means and original transport means describedbelow.

Also, the case in which the other original is not positioned between thefirst original and the reading portion of the original reading meansrefers to a case in which the original transport means is a structure inwhich a plurality of pages of originals that have been placed on theoriginal placement stage with the original face upward are supplied andtransported page by page beginning with the top page, or a structure inwhich a plurality of pages of originals that have been placed on theoriginal placement stage with the original face downward are suppliedand transported page by page beginning with the bottom page.

According to an original reading apparatus having such characteristics,operation of the apparatus is not stopped even when an original, whichis paper, has been multi-fed, and so it is possible to improve theoriginal reading efficiency. Also, an operator is not made to performwasteful work such as removing originals that have piled up in thereading portion or arranging the order of read originals.

Alternatively, the original reading apparatus of the present inventionincludes an original transport means that transports an original and animage reading means that captures an image of the original transportedby the original transport means, in which when, in the case thatmulti-feeding has occurred in which when a first original is transportedby the original transport means another original is also transported,and the other original is positioned between the first original and thereading portion of the original reading means, the reading operation ofthe image of the first original by the original reading means isstopped.

According to an original reading apparatus having such characteristics,when another original is positioned between the first original and thereading portion of the original reading means, even if the firstoriginal is read it is obstructed by the other original, and so theentire image of the original that should be read cannot be read and itwill be processed as a reading defect, but because the reading operationis stopped, it is possible to suppress the waste of this sort of work.

Alternatively, the original reading apparatus of the present inventionincludes an original transport means that transports an original and animage reading means that captures an image of the original transportedby the original transport means, in which when, in the case thatmulti-feeding has occurred in which when a first original is transportedby the original transport means another original is also transported,and the other original is positioned between the first original and thereading portion of the original reading means, the reading operation ofthe image of the other original by the original reading means iscontinued.

Here, the case in which the other original is positioned between thefirst original and the reading portion of the original reading meansrefers to a case in which the original transport means is a structure inwhich a plurality of pages of originals that have been placed on theoriginal placement stage with the original face upward are supplied andtransported page by page beginning with the bottom page, or a structurein which a plurality of pages of originals that have been placed on theoriginal placement stage with the original face downward are suppliedand transported page by page beginning with the top page.

According to an original reading apparatus having such characteristics,because the reading operation is stopped when another original ispositioned between the first original and the reading portion of theoriginal reading means, it is necessary to recapture both the originalthat should be read and the other original, but by reading the multi-fedother original when multi-feeding has occurred, only the original thatshould be read is reread. Thus, it is possible to improve the efficiencyof reading as a whole.

A configuration may also be adopted in which, in the original readingapparatus of the present invention, the original reading means detectsmulti-feeding by detecting the leading edge of the other original whenreading the first original.

According to an original reading apparatus having such characteristics,by also using the original reading means for detection of multi-feeding,the number of components is reduced in comparison to separatelyproviding a multi-feeding detection means, and it becomes possible toreduce the cost and size of the apparatus.

A configuration may also be adopted in which, in the original readingapparatus of the present invention, when the original reading means hasdetected the leading edge of the other original during reading of thefirst original, the original reading means stops the reading operationof the first original and deletes the read image.

According to an original reading apparatus having such characteristics,when reading another original, because read image data of the firstoriginal that should be read is deleted, the image of the other originaland the image of the first original do not intermingle, and it is notnecessary to perform editing work after original reading.

A configuration may also be adopted in which, in the original readingapparatus of the present invention, a notification means is providedthat, when the reading operation of an original could not be performeddue to multi-feeding, makes such a notification.

According to an original reading apparatus having such characteristics,by notifying the operator that there is an original for which readingcould not be performed due to multi-feeding, it is possible to give aninstruction to recapture the original that could not be read, anduneasiness of the user can be alleviated.

A configuration may also be adopted in which, in the original readingapparatus of the present invention, the notification means makes anotification of information of the original for which reading could notbe performed due to multi-feeding.

According to an original reading apparatus having such characteristics,by notifying the operator of information (for example, page number orthe like) of the original for which reading could not be performed dueto multi-feeding, it is possible to clearly give an instruction to theoperator to recapture the original that could not be read.

Alternatively, an original reading method of the present inventionincludes a step of transporting an original with an original transportmeans, a step of reading an image of the transported original with anoriginal reading means, a step of detecting multi-feeding of anotheroriginal when transporting a first original with the original transportmeans, and a step of continuing the reading operation of the image ofthe first original by the original reading means in the case that theother original is not positioned between the first original and thereading portion of the original reading means, even when themulti-feeding has been detected.

According to an original reading method having such characteristics, theoperation of the apparatus is not stopped even when an original, whichis paper, has been multi-fed, and so it is possible to improve theoriginal reading efficiency. Also, an operator is not made to performwasteful work such as removing originals that have piled up in thereading portion or arranging the order of read originals.

Alternatively, an original reading method of the present inventionincludes a step of transporting an original with an original transportmeans, a step of reading an image of the transported original with anoriginal reading means, a step of detecting multi-feeding of anotheroriginal when transporting a first original with the original transportmeans, and a step of continuing the reading operation of the image ofthe other original by the original reading means in the case that themulti-feeding has been detected and the other original is positionedbetween the first original and the reading portion of the originalreading means.

According to an original reading method having such characteristics,because the reading operation is stopped when another original ispositioned between the first original and the reading portion of theoriginal reading means, it is necessary to recapture both the originalthat should be read and the other original, but by reading the multi-fedother original when multi-feeding has occurred, only the original thatshould be read is reread. Thus, it is possible to improve the efficiencyof reading as a whole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view in which an original reading apparatus, which isan image processing apparatus of the present invention, is viewed fromabove.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an original readingapparatus with a U-shaped type top-intake system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an original readingapparatus with a U-shaped type bottom-intake system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an original readingapparatus with a straight type top-intake system

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an original readingapparatus with a straight type bottom-intake system.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an original reading apparatus with aU-shaped type top-intake system.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart that shows a reading operation of a simplexoriginal in an original reading apparatus with a U-shaped typetop-intake system.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart that shows a reading operation of a duplexoriginal in an original reading apparatus with a U-shaped typetop-intake system.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view that shows the overall structure of atransport path of the original reading apparatus in which an original istransported in a U-shape shown in FIG. 2 and a state in which anoriginal has been multi-fed.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view that shows the overall structure of atransport path of the original reading apparatus in which an original istransported in a U-shape shown in FIG. 3 and a state in which anoriginal has been multi-fed.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view that shows the overall structure of atransport path of the original reading apparatus in which an original istransported straightly shown in FIG. 4 and a state in which an originalhas been multi-fed.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view that shows the overall structure of atransport path of the original reading apparatus in which an original istransported straightly shown in FIG. 5 and a state in which an originalhas been multi-fed.

FIG. 13 is an overall flowchart of an original reading operation whenmulti-feeding occurs in Example 1.

FIG. 14 is an overall flowchart of an original reading operation whenmulti-feeding occurs in Example 2.

FIG. 15 an overall flowchart of an original reading operation whenmulti-feeding occurs in Example 3.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described by way ofillustrative embodiments with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view in which an original reading apparatus 1, which isan image processing apparatus of the present invention, is viewed fromabove.

The original reading apparatus 1 includes a pickup roller R1 thattransports originals in order, an original control plate 31 thatcontrols the lateral direction of the originals, and an originalinsertion sensor 26 that confirms the transport of originals and detectsthe size of originals in the longitudinal direction. Prescribedrecording paper is discriminated by the original control plate 31 andthe original insertion sensor 26.

FIGS. 2 through 5 are schematic cross-sectional views of various typesof original reading apparatuses, and the original reading apparatus 1shown in FIG. 2 is an apparatus in which the transport path is aU-shaped type, with a top intake system in which the original face isplaced upward and a plurality of pages of originals P that have beenplaced on the original placement stage are supplied page by pagebeginning with the top page. An original reading apparatus 101 shown inFIG. 3 is an apparatus in which the transport path is a U-shaped type,with a bottom-intake system in which the original face is placed upwardand a plurality of pages of originals P that have been placed on theoriginal placement stage are supplied page by page beginning with thebottom page. An original reading apparatus 201 shown in FIG. 4 is anapparatus in which the transport path is a straight type, with atop-intake system in which the original face is placed downward and aplurality of pages of originals P that have been placed on the originalplacement stage are supplied page by page beginning with the top page.An original reading apparatus 301 shown in FIG. 5 is an apparatus inwhich the transport path is a straight type, with a bottom-intake systemin which the original face is placed downward and a plurality of pagesof originals P that have been placed on the original placement stage aresupplied page by page beginning with the bottom page.

Here, the U-shaped type top intake system original reading apparatus 1shown in FIG. 2 is described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6through FIG. 8. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the original readingapparatus 1, FIG. 7 is a flowchart that shows the reading operation of asimplex original in this original reading apparatus 1, and FIG. 8 is aflowchart that shows the reading operation of a duplex original in theoriginal reading apparatus 1.

This original reading apparatus 1 can read an original P that has beenplaced on an original stage 2 in a stationary state, and can read anoriginal P while transporting the original P on another original stage3. In order to perform this reading, an original reading mechanism 30provided with a light source unit 6 including a light source 4 and amirror 5, a mirror unit 9 including mirrors 7 and 8, an imaging lens 10,and a CCD reading unit 11, is provided below the original stages 2 and3.

When performing stationary reading using the original stage 2, by thelight source unit 6 scanning at a velocity V and the mirror unit 9scanning at a velocity V/2 below this original stage 2, an image of theentire original is read while keeping the light path length to the CCDreading unit 11 constant. Also, when performing moving reading using theoriginal stage 3, the light source unit 6 is stopped below this originalstage 3, and an image of the entire original is read by the original Pbeing transported as described later. Also, an original pressing plate13 provided on the rear side of an original cover 12 is disposed facingthe original stage 2, and an original pressing plate 15 biased to theside of the original stage 3 by a bias spring 14 is disposed facing theoriginal stage 3.

A sheet transport mechanism 20 in this original reading apparatus 1,when roughly divided, is configured by including an original housingtray 21 disposed relatively above, an original discharge tray 22disposed below this original housing tray 21, and a curved transportpath 23 that connects the original housing tray 21 and the originaldischarge tray 22.

A rotatable pickup roller R1 is disposed such that it can make contactwith the original P placed on the original housing tray 21. When thispickup roller R1 rotates, movement of the pickup roller R1 istransmitted to the original P due to frictional force between the pickuproller R1 and the original P, and that original P is extracted from theoriginal housing tray 21. Further, the original P is separated page bypage by a separator roller R2 and a separator plate 16, and transportedto a main transport path 24 forming the curved transport path 23. Aftertransport of the original P is confirmed by the original insertionsensor (paper length detection sensor) 26, the transported original P istransported to an original reading portion of the original stage 3 via adrive roller R3, which is a timing roller (PS roller) that aligns theleading edge of the original P passing obliquely and delivers theoriginal P at a prescribed image reading timing, and an idler roller R4that forms a pair with this drive roller R3, and reading of an originalimage is performed.

The original P for which reading is complete is drawn out of theoriginal reading portion by a pair of transport rollers R5 and R6, anddischarged via a discharge path 27 onto the original discharge tray 22by a pair of discharge rollers R7 and R8 that are reversibly rotatable.

In this original reading apparatus, a middle tray 28 is disposed betweenthe original housing tray 21 and the original discharge tray 22, and aswing plate 29 is provided facing discharge rollers R7 and R8. As shownby the solid line in FIG. 6, when the swing plate 29 has sprung upward(home position 1), an original P that has been discharged from thedischarge rollers R7 and R8 is discharged onto the original dischargetray 22. On the other hand, as shown by the dashed double-dotted line(imaginary line), when the swing plate 29 is sloped downward (homeposition 2), an original that has been discharged from the dischargerollers R7 and R8 is picked up by the swing plate 29 and discharged ontothe middle tray 28.

The middle tray 28 and the swing plate 29 are provided in order to makeit possible to read both the front side and the rear side of theoriginal P, and an original P that has been transported through thedischarge path 27 and discharged from the discharge rollers R7 and R8 isdischarged onto the middle tray 28 and temporarily stopped in a statewith the trailing edge held between the discharge rollers R7 and R8.Afterwards, by reversing the discharge rollers R7 and R8, the original Penters a sub transport path 25, and merges with the curved transportpath 23 from this sub transport path 25. In this way, first the image ofthe front side of an original P that has been placed on the originalhousing tray 21, and next an image of the rear side of the original P,are read by performing switchback transport via the discharge path 27,the discharge rollers R7 and R8, the swing plate 29, the middle tray 28and the sub transport path 25.

-Description of the Reading Operation of the Original Reading Apparatus1-

FIG. 7 is a flowchart that shows the reading operation of a simplexoriginal in the original reading apparatus 1 configured in the mannerdescribed above. Following is an explanation of the reading operation ofa simplex original with reference to this flowchart.

First, when simplex reading processing is selected, a judgment isperformed of whether or not the swing plate 29 of the middle tray 28 ofthe original discharge portion is in the home position 1 (Step S501). Atthis time, the home position 1 is the position shown by a solid line inFIG. 6 as described above, which is a position for guiding the originalafter reading to the original discharge tray 22.

When the result of the judgment in Step S501 is that the swing plate 29of the middle tray 28 is not in home position 1, the swing plate 29 ismoved to home position 1 (Step S509).

After the position of the swing plate 29 has been determined in thismanner, the original is transported by the pickup roller R1 forsupplying the original (Step S502), temporarily stopped at the driveroller R3 as described above (Step S503), and transported again with theoriginal reading timing (Step S504).

The original that has been transported is read in the original readingportion (Step S505). At this time, a judgment is performed of whether ornot the read original will be input into a memory in the control portion(Step S506). This judgment is determined by a page number setting forsingle printing or multi-printing when the number of pages to print hasbeen set. Multi-printing is indicated when memory input has beenperformed in Step S506, and single printing is indicated when memoryinput has not been performed, and after image processing of imageinformation of the read original has been performed in the controlportion, image information is immediately sent to a laser emittingportion of the image forming portion. In the case of single printing(when judged ‘No’ in Step S506), image processing of the read originalinformation is performed, and the information is transmitted to thelaser emitting portion (Step S510).

While image processing is being performed in this manner, the originalis transported via the transport rollers R5 and R6 to the dischargerollers R7 and R8, which are rotating in the original dischargedirection, and is discharged onto the original discharge tray 22 becausethe swing plate 29 is in home position 1 (Step S507).

Further, a judgment is made of whether or not there is a next original.The operation goes back to Step S501 when there is a next original, orreturns when there is not a next original (Step S508).

Reading of a simplex original is performed by this sort of operation ofan original transport mechanism and an original reading portion. It goeswithout saying that an original for which this sort of simplex readingis performed can either be an original which has an original image ononly one side of the original, or an original for which the user'sreading request specifies only one side even though an original image ison both sides of the original.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart that shows the reading operation of a duplexoriginal in the original reading apparatus 1. Following is anexplanation of the reading operation of a duplex original with referenceto this flowchart.

First, when duplex reading processing is selected, a duplex original istransported by the pickup roller R1 for supplying the original (StepS601), and temporarily stopped at the drive roller R3 as described above(Step S602). Next, a judgment is performed of whether or not the swingplate 29 of the middle tray 28 of the original discharge portion is inhome position 2 (Step S603). At this time, the home position 2 is theposition shown by the dashed double-dotted line (imaginary line) in FIG.6 as described above, which is a position for guiding the original afterreading to the middle tray 28.

When the result of the judgment in Step S603 is that the swing plate 29is not in home position 2, the swing plate 29 is moved to home position2 (Step S624).

After the position of the swing plate 29 of the middle tray 28 has beendetermined in this manner, the original is transported again with theoriginal reading timing (Step S604).

Image information of the front side of the transported original is readin the original reading portion (Step S605). At this time, the imageinformation of the front side that has been read is input into thememory in the control portion (Step S606). In this case, the imageinformation of the front side that has been input into the memory is ina state in which image processing has been performed.

While image processing and memory input are being performed in thismanner, the original is transported via the transport rollers R5 and R6to the discharge rollers R7 and R8 rotating in the original dischargedirection, and guided to the middle tray 28 because the swing plate 29is in home position 2 (Step S607). The original, which has been guidedto the middle tray 28, is temporarily stopped in a state with thetrailing edge in the original transport direction sandwiched by thedischarge rollers R7 and R8 (Step S608).

The foregoing is the reading transport process of the front side.

Afterward, due to the discharge rollers R7 and R8 performing rotationopposite to the rotation direction in Step S607, the original istransported via the sub transport path 25 (Step S609). The transportedoriginal is temporarily stopped at the drive roller R3 (Step S610), andtransported again with the original reading timing (Step S611).

The image information of the rear side of the transported original isread in the original reading portion (Step S612). At this time, the readimage information of the rear side is transmitted to the laser emittingportion of the image forming portion after image processing has beenperformed in the control portion (Step S613)

While image processing and transmission are being performed in thismanner, the original is transported via the transport rollers R5 and R6to the discharge rollers R7 and R8 again rotating in the originaldischarge direction, and guided to the middle tray 28 because the swingplate 29 is in home position 2 (Step S614). The original, which has beenguided to the middle tray 28, is temporarily stopped in a state with thetrailing edge in the original transport direction sandwiched by thedischarge rollers R7 and R8 (Step S615).

The foregoing is the reading transport process of the rear side.

Afterward, by the discharge rollers R7 and R8 performing rotationopposite to the rotation direction in Step S614, the temporarily stoppedoriginal is transported via the sub transport path 25 (Step S616). Theoriginal insertion sensor 26 judges whether or not the trailing edge ofthe passing original transported in this manner has passed this originalinsertion sensor 26 (Step S617). At this time, when the trailing edge ofthe original has passed and there is also a next original (when judged‘Yes’ in Step S618), the next original is transported by the pickuproller R1 for supplying the original (Step S619), and waits in a statetemporarily stopped at the drive roller R3 (Step S620) until the readingtiming arrives. In this manner, an original whose front and rear sideshave been read is transported through the transport path even when anext original is in the midst of being transported.

When the original transported in this manner passes the originalinsertion sensor 26, a judgment is performed of whether or not the swingplate 29 is in home position 1 (Step S621). At this time, because theswing plate 29 is in a state disposed at home position 2 in Step S603,the swing plate 29 is moved to home position 1 (Step S625).

The position of the swing plate 29 is determined in this manner. Evenwhile doing so, the original is transported to the discharge rollers R7and R8 via the transport rollers R5 and R6, and discharged onto theoriginal discharge tray 22 due to original discharge rotation and theposition of the swing plate 29 (Step S623). A configuration may also beadopted in which, when it has been judged that the original has passedthe original reading portion in a judgment of whether or not theoriginal has passed the original reading portion (Step S622), reading ofa next original is started if there is a next original.

The foregoing is the idle transport process of an original.

Reading of a duplex original is performed by the above manner oforiginal transport operation and operation of the original readingportion.

In this way, there are three transport processes for reading of a duplexoriginal—“front side original reading transport”, “rear side originalreading transport”, and “original idle transport”. The reason forperforming this sort of transport is that the “front side originalreading transport” and “rear side original reading transport” arenaturally necessary, but when discharging the original to the originaldischarge tray 22 by moving the position of the swing plate 29 aftercompleting the “rear side original reading transport” process, the orderof the front and rear of the originals does not match when a pluralityof pages of originals have been processed, and it becomes impossible toarrange pages in order. In order to eliminate this sort of problem, the“original idle transport” process is necessary.

The original reading operation by the original reading apparatus 101with a U-shaped type bottom-intake system shown in FIG. 3 is the same asfor the original reading apparatus 1 with a U-shaped type top-intakesystem described above. Also with respect to the original readingapparatus 201 with a straight type top-intake system shown in FIG. 4 andthe original reading apparatus 301 with a straight type bottom-intakesystem shown in FIG. 5, although the transport path of originals isdifferent, the original reading operation (particularly, the simplexreading processing) is basically the same as for the original readingapparatus 1 with a U-shaped type top-intake system described above.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the original reading apparatuses 1 and101, which are provided with a transport path in which the original P istransported in a U shape, by placing the original P facing upward, it ispossible for the original face of the supplied original P to face theoriginal reading portion (specifically, the light source unit 6 of theoriginal stage 3), and reading of the original P can be performed.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the original reading apparatuses 201 and301, provided with a transport path in which the original P istransported straight from right to left, by placing the original Pfacing downward, it is possible for the original face of the suppliedoriginal P to face the original reading portion (specifically, the lightsource unit 6 of the original stage 3), and reading of the original Pcan be performed.

-Description of Each Original Reading Apparatus and State of OriginalWhen Multi-feeding Occurs-

<U-Shaped Type>

FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic views that show the overall structure ofthe transport paths of the original reading apparatuses 1 and 101 shownin FIGS. 2 and 3 above, in which the original is transported in aU-shape and a state in which an original has been multi-fed. In the caseof reverse supply provided with a U-shaped transport path, the upperface of the original placed on the original housing tray 21 becomes theread face (original face).

FIG. 9 shows a case in which the original on the original housing tray21 is taken from the top. In the case that multi-feeding occurs whentaking from the top, when an original P1 that should be read this time(hereinafter, “read original P1”) and another original P2 that has beenmulti-fed (hereinafter, “multi-fed original P2”) pass the originalreading portion (light source unit 6), the multi-fed original P2 becomesstacked together on the read original P1. At this time, the multi-fedoriginal P2 does not become an obstacle between a read face (originalface) P1 a of the read original P1 and the original reading portion(light source unit 6). Accordingly, it is understood that even if thereading operation is continued in that state, there is not an effect onthe reading operation of the read original P1.

On the other hand, FIG. 10 shows a case in which the original on theoriginal housing tray 21 is taken from the bottom. In the case thatmulti-feeding occurs when taking from the bottom, when the read originalP1 and the multi-fed original P2 pass the original reading portion(light source unit 6), the read face (original face) P1 a of the readoriginal P1 becomes stacked together on the multi-fed original P2. Atthis time, the multi-fed original P2 becomes an obstacle between theread face (original face) P1 a of the read original P1 and the originalreading portion (light source unit 6). Accordingly, even if the readingoperation is continued in that state, it is not possible to read theread face (original face) P1 a of the read original P1. However, it isunderstood that regarding the multi-fed original P2, there is noobstacle between a read face (original face) P2 a of the multi-fedoriginal P2 and the original reading portion (light source unit 6), andso the reading operation of the multi-fed original P2 is possible.

<Straight Type>

FIGS. 11 and 12 are schematic views that show the overall structure ofthe transport paths of the original reading apparatuses 201 and 301shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 above, in which the original is transportedstraight, and a state in which an original has been multi-fed. In thecase of an original reading apparatus provided with a straight typetransport path, the bottom face of the original placed on the originalhousing tray 21 becomes the read face (original face).

FIG. 11 shows a case in which the original on the original housing tray21 is taken from the top. In the case that multi-feeding occurs whentaking from the top, when the read original P1 and the multi-fedoriginal P2 pass the original reading portion (light source unit 6), theread face (original face) P1 a of the read original P1 becomes stackedtogether on the multi-fed original P2. At this time, the multi-fedoriginal P2 becomes an obstacle between the read face (original face) P1a of the read original P1 and the original reading portion (light sourceunit 6). Accordingly, even if the reading operation is continued in thatstate, it is not possible to read the read face (original face) P1 a ofthe read original P1. However, it is understood that regarding themulti-fed original P2, there is no obstacle between the read face(original face) P2 a of the multi-fed original P2 and the originalreading portion (light source unit 6), and so the reading operation ofthe multi-fed original P2 is possible.

On the other hand, FIG. 12 shows a case in which the original on theoriginal housing tray 21 is taken from the bottom. In the case thatmulti-feeding occurs when taking from the bottom, the multi-fed originalP2 becomes stacked together on the read original P1. At this time, themulti-fed original P2 does not become an obstacle between the read face(original face) P1 a of the read original P1 and the original readingportion (light source unit 6). Accordingly, it is understood that evenif the reading operation is continued in that state, there is not aneffect on the reading operation of the read original P1.

Following is a description of various examples of the original readingoperation performed by each image reading apparatus when multi-feedinghas occurred, based on the state of the original when multi-feedingoccurs according to each original reading apparatus described above.

(Description of the Original Reading Operation when Multi-feedingOccurs)

EXAMPLE 1

Example 1 is an example of the original reading operation whenmulti-feeding occurs according to the original reading apparatus 1 witha U-shaped type top-intake system shown in FIGS. 2 and 9.

That is, in the top-intake system original reading apparatus 1 providedwith a U-shaped type transport path, even if multi-feeding is detected,as shown in FIG. 9, the multi-fed original P2 is not positioned betweenthe read original P1 and the original reading portion (light source unit6) of the original stage 3, and so in this case the operation of readingan image of the read original P1 continues as usual. In this case, animage of the multi-fed original P2 cannot be read, and will be processedas a reading defect.

Following is a description of multi-feeding detection.

In the present embodiment, a new detection portion for detectingmulti-feeding is not provided; the original reading portion (such as thelight source unit 6) is also used as a multi-feeding detection portion.In this case, when reading an original (during reading), multi-feedingis detected by detecting a shadow or the like of the edge of themulti-fed portion of an original. The inventors, as a result of testing,have confirmed that it is possible to reliably detect multi-feeding ofan original even when the original reading portion is used also as themulti-feeding detection portion.

In Example 1, as shown in FIG. 9, multi-feeding is detected by detectinga trailing edge P12 of the read original P1.

FIG. 13 is an overall flowchart of the original reading operation whenmulti-feeding occurs in Example 1.

As shown in FIG. 13, first, processing is performed in order to startreading of the read original P1 (Step S701). Next, data is imported froma CCD reading unit 11 (Step S702). The imported data is analyzed (StepS702), and when multi-feeding is detected by detecting a shadow or thelike of the edge of an original (S704), the operation advances to StepS706, and when multi-feeding is not detected, the operation advances toStep S705.

When multi-feeding has been detected, the occurrence of multi-feeding isstored (Step S706), and the operation advances to Step S705 in order tocontinue the reading operation of the read original P1.

Then a judgment is performed of whether or not reading of the readoriginal P1 has completed (Step S705), and when that reading has notcompleted, the operation goes back to Step S702 and repeats.

EXAMPLE 2

Example 2 is an example of the original reading operation whenmulti-feeding occurs according to the original reading apparatus 101with a U-shaped type bottom-intake system shown in FIGS. 3 and 10.

That is, in the bottom-intake system original reading apparatus 101provided with a U-shaped type transport path, when multi-feeding hasbeen detected, as shown in FIG. 10, when the multi-fed original P2 andthe read original P1 pass the original reading portion (light sourceunit 6), the read face (original face) P1 a of the read original P1 isstacked together on the multi-fed original P2, and the multi-fedoriginal P2 becomes an obstacle between the read face (original face) P1a of the read original P1 and the original reading portion (light sourceunit 6). Accordingly, in this case the reading operation of the readoriginal P1 is stopped. In this Example 2, multi-feeding is detected bydetecting a leading edge portion P21 of the read original P2.

FIG. 14 is an overall flowchart of the original reading operation whenmulti-feeding occurs in Example 2.

As shown in FIG. 14, first, processing is performed in order to startreading of the read original P1 (Step S801). Next, data is imported fromthe CCD reading unit 11 (Step S802). The imported data is analyzed (StepS802), and when multi-feeding is detected by detecting a shadow or thelike of the edge of an original (S804), the operation advances to StepS806, and when multi-feeding is not detected, the operation advances toStep S805.

When multi-feeding has not been detected, a judgment is performed ofwhether or not reading of the read original P1 has completed (StepS805), and if that reading has not completed, then the operation goesback to Step S802 and processing is repeated.

When multi-feeding has been detected, the occurrence of multi-feeding isstored (Step S806), reading of the read original P1 is stopped, and thereading operation is ended.

EXAMPLE 3

Example 3 is another example of the original reading operation whenmulti-feeding occurs according to the original reading apparatus 101with a U-shaped type bottom-intake system shown in FIGS. 3 and 10.

That is, in Example 2 described above, the reading operation of the readoriginal P1 is stopped when multi-feeding has been detected, but asshown in FIG. 10, regarding the multi-fed original P2, there is noobstacle between the read face (original face) P2 a of the multi-fedoriginal P2 and the original reading portion (light source unit 6), andtherefore the reading operation for the multi-fed original P2 ispossible. Accordingly, in this Example 3, the reading of the readoriginal P1 that should be read is skipped, and the reading operation ofthe multi-fed original P2 is executed instead.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, it is necessary to postpone thereading start timing by the amount of a displacement Da of the stackingof the read original P1 and the multi-fed original P2, but becausemulti-feeding detection is performed by detecting the leading edgeportion P21 of the multi-fed original P2, it is possible to read animage of the multi-fed original P2 based on that detection timing. Whenthe original reading of the read original P1 has already started by thetime multi-feeding is detected, the reading operation is temporarilystopped at the point in time that multi-feeding was detected, the imageread up until that point in time is deleted, and reading of themulti-fed original P2 starts in succession.

FIG. 15 is an overall flowchart of the original reading operation whenmulti-feeding occurs in Example 3.

As shown in FIG. 15, first, processing is performed in order to startreading of the read original P1 (Step S901). Next, data is imported fromthe CCD reading unit 11 (Step S902). The imported data is analyzed (StepS902), and when multi-feeding is detected by detecting a shadow or thelike of the edge of an original (S904), the operation advances to StepS906, and when multi-feeding is not detected, the operation advances toStep S905.

When multi-feeding has not been detected, a judgment is performed ofwhether or not reading of the read original P1 has completed (StepS905), and if that reading has not completed then the operation goesback to Step S902 and processing is repeated.

When multi-feeding has been detected, the occurrence of multi-feeding isstored (Step S906), reading of the read original P1 is stopped, andprocessing is newly performed in order to start reading of the multi-fedoriginal P2 (Step S907). At this time, image data that has been importedup until then is also deleted.

Then, data is imported from the CCD reading unit 11 (Step S908), ajudgment is performed of whether or not reading of the multi-fedoriginal P2 has completed (Step S909), and if that reading has notcompleted then the operation goes back to Step S908 and processing isrepeated.

EXAMPLE 4

Example 4 is an example of the original reading operation whenmulti-feeding occurs according to the original reading apparatus 201with a straight type top-intake system shown in FIGS. 4 and 11.

That is, in the top-intake system original reading apparatus 201provided with a straight type transport path, when multi-feeding hasbeen detected, as shown in FIG. 11, when the multi-fed original P2 andthe read original P1 pass the original reading portion (light sourceunit 6), the read face (original face) P1 a of the read original P1 isstacked together on the multi-fed original P2, and the multi-fedoriginal P2 becomes an obstacle between the read face (original face) P1a of the read original P1 and the original reading portion (light sourceunit 6). Accordingly, in this case the reading operation of the readoriginal P1 is stopped. In Example 4, multi-feeding is detected bydetecting the leading edge portion P21 of the multi-fed original P2.

The overall flowchart of the original reading operation whenmulti-feeding occurs in Example 4 is the same as FIG. 14.

EXAMPLE 5

Example 5 is another example of the original reading operation whenmulti-feeding occurs according to the original reading apparatus 201with a straight type top-intake system shown in FIGS. 4 and 11.

That is, in Example 4 described above, the reading operation of the readoriginal P1 is stopped when multi-feeding has been detected, but asshown in FIG. 11, regarding the multi-fed original P2, there is noobstacle between the read face (original face) P2 a of the multi-fedoriginal P2 and the original reading portion (light source unit 6), andtherefore the reading operation for the multi-fed original P2 ispossible. Accordingly, in Example 5, the reading of the read original P1that should be read is skipped, and the reading operation of themulti-fed original P2 is executed instead.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, it is necessary to postpone thereading start timing by the amount of a displacement Db of the stackingof the read original P1 and the multi-fed original P2, but becausemulti-feeding detection is performed by detecting the leading edgeportion P21 of the multi-fed original P2, it is possible to read animage of the multi-fed original P2 based on that detection timing. Whenthe original reading of the read original P1 has already started by thetime multi-feeding is detected, the reading operation is temporarilystopped at the point in time that multi-feeding was detected, the imageread up until that point in time is deleted, and reading of themulti-fed original P2 starts in succession.

The overall flowchart of the original reading operation whenmulti-feeding occurs in Example 5 is the same as FIG. 15.

EXAMPLE 6

This Example 6 is an example of the original reading operation whenmulti-feeding occurs according to the original reading apparatus 301with a straight type bottom-intake system shown in FIGS. 5 and 12.

That is, in the bottom-intake system original reading apparatus 301provided with a straight type transport path, even if multi-feeding isdetected, the multi-fed original P2 is not positioned between the readoriginal P1 and the original reading portion (light source unit 6) ofthe original stage 3, and so in this case the operation of reading animage of the read original P1 continues as usual. In this case, an imageof the multi-fed original P2 cannot be read, and will be processed as areading defect. In this Example 6, as shown in FIG. 12, multi-feeding isdetected by detecting the trailing edge P12 of the read original P1.

The overall flowchart of the original reading operation whenmulti-feeding occurs in this Example 6 is the same as FIG. 13.

MODIFIED EXAMPLES OF EXAMPLES 1 to 6

A configuration may also be adopted in which, when multi-feeding hasbeen detected in the manner described in the above examples, an operatoris notified that multi-feeding has occurred. A configuration may also beadopted in which, as a method of notification, an error message or thelike that multi-feeding has occurred is displayed on a display panelportion 33 provided in an operating input portion 32 of the originalreading apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is also possible to notify theoperator by emitting a buzzer sound from a built-in buzzer or the likenot shown in the figures, or emitting an electronic sound. It is moreeffective if notification is made with both the display of an errormessage and a notification sound. Further, a configuration may beadopted in which the contents displayed on the display panel portion 33are not limited to an error message; information of an original forwhich reading has not been performed due to multi-feeding is displayed.For example, a page of an original for which reading has not beenperformed due to multi-feeding is displayed. Thus, because the operatorcan clearly understand which page must be reread, the effectiveness ofrecapture processing improves.

Also, by equipping a scanner apparatus, copy apparatus, or facsimileapparatus, or a multifunction machine in which any of these apparatusesare combined, with the original reading apparatus of these illustrativeexamples, it is possible to provide an electronic equipment in which animprovement in reading efficiency of originals has been achieved.

The present invention may be embodied in other forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The embodimentsdisclosed in this application are to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not limiting. The scope of the invention is indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and allchanges that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are intended to be embraced therein.

This application claims priority on Patent Application No. 2003-185360filed in Japan on Jun. 27, 2003, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference. Patents and publications cited herein arehereby specifically incorporated by reference in their entirety.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In the above manner, the image processing apparatus, original readingapparatus, electronic equipment, and original reading method of thepresent invention are very suitable for, for example, a scannerapparatus, copy apparatus, or facsimile apparatus, or a multifunctionmachine in which two or more of these are combined.

1. An original reading apparatus comprising: an original transportmechanism, said mechanism having a movable member that transports anoriginal document placed on a document placement stage, and an originalreading mechanism having a light source that illuminates the transportedoriginal document, an optical sensor, and an optical system that guideslight reflected from the illuminated original document to the opticalsensor, and that captures an image of the transported original document,wherein the moveable member transports a first original document bymaking contact with said first original document and delivers it to thereading mechanism by transmitting its movement to the first originaldocument via frictional force in a manner such that upon detection, bythe optical sensor, of a leading edge of another original document whilethe first original document is illuminated, the original readingmechanism stops the reading operation of the first original document anddeletes the read image, and the reading operation of the image of theother original document by the original reading mechanism proceeds basedon the other original document being positioned between the firstoriginal document and a reading portion of the original readingmechanism.
 2. The original reading apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the original transport mechanism includes a structure having aplurality of document pages placed on the document placement stage faceupward such that the moveable member supplies and transports thedocument pages page by page beginning with the bottom page, or includesa structure having a plurality of document pages placed on the documentplacement stage face downward such that the moveable member supplies andtransports the document pages page by page beginning with the top page.3. The original reading apparatus according to claim 1, the apparatusfurther including a notifier operably connected to the reading mechanismsuch that when the reading operation of the first original documentcould not be performed due to multi-feeding, the notifier generates anotification indicating read operation failure due to multi-feeding. 4.The original reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein thenotifier makes a notification of information of the original documentfor which reading could not be performed due to multi-feeding.
 5. Anoriginal reading method comprising: transporting a first originaldocument with an original transport mechanism, reading an image of thetransported original document with an original reading mechanism,detecting, during said transporting, a leading edge of another originaldocument while the first original document is illuminated, wheredetecting includes determining relative positions of said first andother original documents by detecting with the reading mechanism whetheror not a leading edge of the other document obscures at least part ofthe first document, and stopping the reading operation of the firstoriginal document, deleting the read image, and altering said readingoperation to read an image of the other original document based on theother original document being positioned between the first originaldocument and the reading portion of the original reading mechanism.